arXiv subjects

Mária Kun

Publications and source records attributed to Mária Kun.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Gaia21bja: pre-main sequence star with quasi-periodic bursts

Gaia21bja is a Gaia alerted young stellar object (YSO) that exhibits at least seven quasi-peridoic brightenings over a 20 year-long light curve with durations of 1.5-2 years and amplitudes up to $\sim$1.7 mag in the Gaia $G$-band. We analyze its optical and near-infrared photometry and spectra taken using the IRTF and VLT in its faint and bright states in order to characterize its physical properties. A Lomb-Scargle periodogram analysis results in a most significant period of $916\pm77$ days. We derived the stellar parameters as $R_\star= 0.78 \pm 0.04~R_\odot$, $L_\star=(4.5\pm0.3) \times 10^{-2}~L_\odot$, and $M_\star= 0.16 \pm 0.03~M_\odot$. The spectra taken during the burst are dominated by emission lines and are similar to those of EX Lupi-type eruptive young stars (EXors). We found that the accretion luminosity and mass accretion rate increased by a factor of $5.5-6$ during the burst. Based on this, and the quasi-periodic bursts, we suggest that Gaia21bja is an eruptive YSO, and is most consistent with the `Periodic' category of the Outbursting YSOs Catalogue.

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arXiv2026

Gaia20dsk: A new MNor discovered by the GLORIOUS collaboration

Context. Among known young stellar objects (YSOs), those exhibiting the most dramatic increases in brightness due to sudden increase in mass accretion rate are eruptive young stars. Gaia20dsk is one of the Gaia-alerted young star candidates that has displayed a double, nonperiodic brightening resembling that of other young eruptive stars. Aims. The goal of this work is to determine the physical and accretion properties of Gaia20dsk to confirm its classification as an eruptive young star. Methods. We combined publicly available optical and near-infrared (NIR) photometry with our X-shooter optical/NIR spectrum. In our analysis, we examined the optical and IR light curves from the bursts, reviewing the color-magnitude diagrams across different bands, reporting the detection of emission lines, and providing estimates of the star's accretion rates during the burst. Results. The optical light curve shows two major and one brief brightening events with a maximum amplitude of ~1.8 mag in the last five years. A classification based on spectral index indicates that Gaia20dsk is a flat-spectrum star. The X-shooter spectrum exhibit emission lines characteristic of accreting low-to-intermediate-mass young stars, displaying features typical of MNor-type objects. The mass accretion rate is between (0.5-1.8)*10^{-6} M_sun/yr. Conclusions. Gaia20dsk is an eruptive YSO that exhibits photometric features similar to those of MNors, including its characteristic brightening amplitude and burst duration, along with similar spectroscopic features and accretion rates.

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arXiv2025

Short- and long-term variations of the high mass accretion rate classical T Tauri star DR Tau

Classical T Tauri stars are newly formed, low mass stars which may display both periodic and random variations in their brightness. The interaction between the star and its circumstellar disk is time-dependent, leading to short or long-term changes in the environment, and hence variability of the system. By compiling a large dataset with high-cadence photometric (Kepler, TESS), and high-resolution spectroscopic observations (CFHT/ESPaDOnS) of the highly variable T Tauri star DR Tau, we aim to examine the short- and long-term variability of the system, and identify the underlying physical mechanisms. Our results reveal that DR Tau exhibits stochastic photometric variability not only on daily, but also on hourly timescale with peak-to-peak amplitude of 1.4 mag probably originating from accretion related variations. Our ground-based multifilter photometry shows that the amplitude of the variability decreases with increasing wavelength. This trend towards the infrared wavelengths suggests that part of the disk may be optically thick and invariable. The spectroscopic analysis showed that the H$α$ line presents the most complex line profile with several components but the significance of the components changes over time. This suggests the presence and variation of both accretion flow and wind. Broad and narrow components can be clearly distinguished in the He I and the Ca II lines, suggesting contribution from both the accretion flow and the post-shock region. DR Tau exhibits high level of photometric and spectroscopic variability on both short- and long-timescales, which is caused by the combination of accretion, wind, stellar activity, and obscuration by circumstellar matter; and the significance of the physical mechanisms causing the observed variability changes over time.

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arXiv2025

The 2023 outburst of the Gaia alerted EXor Gaia23bab

Episodic accretion is a fundamental process in the build-up of the stellar mass. EX Lupi-type eruptive young stars (EXors) represent one of the main types of episodic accretion. We study the recently discovered EXor Gaia23bab during its 2023 outburst. We obtained optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy to probe the variation of the physical properties of Gaia23bab during its recent outburst. We also collected archival photometry to study a previous outburst of the star. We used several accretion tracers, including the Ca II triplet, He I, and various hydrogen lines from the Paschen and Brackett series, to measure the accretion rate during the outburst. The accretion rate is consistent with $\sim 2.0 \times 10^{-7} M_\odot$ $\rm{yr}^{-1}$. Comparing the line fluxes of the hydrogen Brackett series to predictions of Case B theory suggests excitation temperatures of 5000 - 10000 K and electron densities of $10^9$-$10^{10}$ cm$^{-3}$. Comparison to the predictions of a model for T Tauri stars revealed that the fluxes of the Balmer series are consistent with temperatures of 5000 - 12500 K and a hydrogen density of $10^8$ cm$^{-3}$, while the fluxes of the Paschen series are consistent with temperatures in the range between 10000 and 12500 K and a hydrogen density of $10^{11}$ cm$^{-3}$. The derived temperatures and densities confirm that Gaia23bab is a prototypical EXor, not only due to its accretion rate, but also based on the best fit temperatures and densities revealed by the detected hydrogen lines.

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arXiv2024

An Outbursting Protostar: The environment of L1251 VLA 6

Young protostars that undergo episodic accretion can provide insight into the impact on their circumstellar environments while matter is accreted from the disk onto the protostar. IRAS 22343+7501 is a four component protostar system with one of those being a fading outbursting protostar referred to as L1251 VLA 6. Given the rarity of YSOs undergoing this type of accretion, L1251 VLA 6 can elucidate the fading phase of the post-outburst process. Here we examine structure in the disk around L1251 VLA 6 at frequencies of 10 GHz and 33 GHz with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA). We model the disk structure using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). This method is then combined with a parametric ray-tracing code to generate synthetic model images of an axisymmetric disk, allowing us to characterize the radial distribution of dust in the system. The results of our MCMC fit show that the most probable values for the mass and radius are consistent with values typical of Class I objects. We find that the total mass of the disk is $0.070^{+0.031}_{-0.2} \rm ~ M_{\sun}$ and investigate the conditions that could cause the accretion outburst. We conclude that the eruption is not caused by gravitational instability and consider alternative explanations and trigger mechanisms.

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arXiv2023

Gaia21bty: An EXor lightcurve exhibiting an FUor spectrum

Gaia21bty, a pre-main sequence star that previously had shown aperiodic dips in its light curve, underwent a considerable $ΔG\approx2.9$ mag brightening that occurred over a few months between 2020 October - 2021 February. The Gaia lightcurve shows that the star remained near maximum brightness for about $4-6$ months, and then started slowly fading over the next 2 years, with at least three superimposed $\sim$1 mag sudden rebrightening events. Whereas the amplitude and duration of the maximum is typical for EXors, optical and near-infrared spectra obtained at the maximum are dominated by features which are typical for FUors. Modelling of the accretion disc at the maximum indicates that the disc bolometric luminosity is 43 L$_{\odot}$ and the mass accretion rate is $2.5\times10^{-5}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$, which are typical values for FUors even considering the large uncertainty in the distance ($1.7_{-0.4}^{+0.8}$ kpc). Further monitoring is necessary to understand the cause of the quick brightness decline, the rebrightening, and the other post-outburst light changes, as our multi-colour photometric data suggest that they could be caused by a long and discontinuous obscuration event. We speculate that the outburst might have induced large-scale inhomogeneous dust condensations in the line of sight leading to such phenomena, whilst the FUor outburst continues behind the opaque screen.

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arXiv2023

The Gaia alerted fading of the FUor-type star Gaia21elv

FU Orionis objects (FUors) are eruptive young stars, which exhibit outbursts that last from decades to a century. Due to the duration of their outbursts, and to the fact that only about two dozens of such sources are known, information on the end of their outbursts is limited. Here we analyse follow-up photometry and spectroscopy of Gaia21elv, a young stellar object, which had a several decades long outburst. It was reported as a Gaia science alert due to its recent fading by more than a magnitude. To study the fading of the source and look for signatures characteristic of FUors, we have obtained follow-up near infrared (NIR) spectra using Gemini South/IGRINS, and both optical and NIR spectra using VLT/X-SHOOTER. The spectra at both epochs show typical FUor signatures, such as a triangular shaped $H$-band continuum, absorption-line dominated spectrum, and P Cygni profiles. In addition to the typical FUor signatures, [OI], [FeII], and [SII] were detected, suggesting the presence of a jet or disk wind. Fitting the spectral energy distributions with an accretion disc model suggests a decrease of the accretion rate between the brightest and faintest states. The rapid fading of the source in 2021 was most likely dominated by an increase of circumstellar extinction. The spectroscopy presented here confirms that Gaia21elv is a classical FUor, the third such object discovered among the Gaia science alerts.

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arXiv2023

The $\textit{Gaia}$ view of the Cepheus OB2 association

OB associations, birthplaces of the most luminous stars, are key objects for understanding the formation of high-mass stars and their effects on their environments. The aim of this work is to explore the structure and kinematics of the Cepheus OB2 association and characterize the history of star formation in the region -- in particular, the role of the Cepheus Bubble, surrounding Cepheus OB2. Based on \gaia\ DR3 data we study the spatial and age distribution and kinematics of young stars in the region. We select candidate pre-main-sequence stars in the $M_\mathrm{G}$ vs. \gbp$-$\grp\ colour-magnitude diagram, and using a clustering algorithm, we identify 13 stellar groups belonging to Cep OB2. Four groups, consisting of 10-13 Myr old low- and intermediate-mass stars, are located in the interior of the bubble, and are part of the oldest subsystem of the association Cep OB2a. Younger groups are found on the periphery. The tangential velocities suggest that some groups on the periphery were born in an expanding system of star-forming clouds, whereas others have been formed due to the collision of their parent cloud with the expanding bubble.

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arXiv2023

Gaia Data Release 3 Validating the classification of variable Young Stellar Object candidates

Context. The Gaia third Data Release (DR3) presents the first catalogue of full-sky variable Young Stellar Object (YSO) candidates observed by the Gaia space telescope during the initial 34 months of science operations. Aims. Numerous types of variable stars were classified using photometric data collected by Gaia. One of the new classes presented in the Gaia DR3 is the class of YSOs showing brightness variability. We analysed 79 375 sources classified as YSO candidates to validate their young nature and investigate the completeness and purity of the sample. Methods. We cross-matched the Gaia DR3 YSO sample with numerous catalogues from the literature, including YSO catalogues based on optical and infrared data, as well as catalogues of extragalactic sources and Galactic variable stars. YSO catalogues were used to quantify the completeness of the Gaia DR3 YSO sample, while others were inspected to calculate the contamination. Results. Among the 79 375 potential Young Stellar Object candidates published in the Gaia DR3 variable star catalogue, the majority of these objects are distributed along the line of sight of well-known Star Forming Regions and the Galactic mid-plane. We found that the contamination level is well below 1%, while the completeness is also at the percent level, taking into account that the Gaia DR3 YSO sample is based on sources that showed significant variability during the data collection period. The number of sources in our sample that were never catalogued before as YSO candidates is in the order of $\sim$40 000 objects.

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arXiv2022

Photometric and spectroscopic study of the EXor-like eruptive young star Gaia19fct

Gaia19fct is one of the Gaia-alerted eruptive young stars that has undergone several brightening events. We conducted monitoring observations using multi-filter optical and near-infrared photometry, as well as near-infrared spectroscopy, to understand the physical properties of Gaia19fct and investigate whether it fits into the historically defined two classes. We present the analyses of light curves, color variations, spectral lines, and CO modeling. The light curves show at least five brightening events since 2015, and the multi-filter color evolutions are mostly gray. The gray evolution indicates that bursts are triggered by mechanisms other than extinction. Our near-infrared spectra exhibit both absorption and emission lines and show time-variability throughout our observations. We found lower rotational velocity and lower temperature from the near-infrared atomic absorption lines than from the optical lines, suggesting that Gaia19fct has a Keplerian rotating disk. The CO overtone features show a superposition of absorption and emission components, which is unlike other young stellar objects. We modeled the CO lines, and the result suggests that the emission and absorption components are formed in different regions. We found that although Gaia19fct exhibits characteristics of both types of eruptive young stars, FU Orionis-type objects (FUors) and EX Lupi-type objects (EXors), it shows more similarity with EXors in general.

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arXiv2022

Photometric and spectroscopic study of the burst-like brightening of two Gaia-alerted young stellar objects

Young stars show variability on different time-scales from hours to decades, with a range of amplitudes. We studied two young stars, which triggered the Gaia Science Alerts system due to brightenings on a time-scale of a year. Gaia20bwa brightened by about half a magnitude, whereas Gaia20fgx brightened by about two and half magnitudes. We analyzed the Gaia light curves, additional photometry, and spectra taken with the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo and the Gran Telescopio Canarias. Several emission lines were detected toward Gaia20bwa, including hydrogen lines from H$α$ to H$δ$, Pa$β$, Br$γ$, and lines of Ca II, O I, and Na I. The H$α$ and Br$γ$ lines were detected toward Gaia20fgx in emission in its bright state, with additional CO lines in absorption, and the Pa$β$ line with an inverse P Cygni profile during its fading. Based on the Br$γ$ lines the accretion rate was $(2.4-3.1)\times10^{-8}$ $M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ for Gaia20bwa and $(4.5-6.6)\times10^{-8}$ $M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ for Gaia20fgx during their bright state. The accretion rate of Gaia20fgx dropped by almost a factor of 10 on a time-scale of half a year. The accretion parameters of both stars were found to be similar to those of classical T Tauri stars, lower than those of young eruptive stars. However, the amplitude and time-scale of these brightenings place these stars to a region of the parameter space, which is rarely populated by young stars. This suggests a new class of young stars, which produce outbursts on a time-scale similar to young eruptive stars, but with smaller amplitudes.

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arXiv2021

Recurrent strong outbursts of an EXor-like young eruptive star Gaia20eae

We present follow-up photometric and spectroscopic observations, and subsequent analysis of Gaia20eae. This source triggered photometric alerts during 2020 after showing a $\sim$3 mag increase in its brightness. Its Gaia Alert light curve showed the shape of a typical eruptive young star. We carried out observations to confirm Gaia20eae as an eruptive young star and classify it. Its pre-outburst spectral energy distribution shows that Gaia20eae is a moderately embedded Class II object with $L_\mathrm{bol} = 7.22$ L$_\odot$. The color-color and color-magnitude diagrams indicate that the evolution in the light curve is mostly gray. Multiple epochs of the H$α$ line profile suggest an evolution of the accretion rate and winds. The near-infrared spectra display several emission lines, a feature typical of EXor-type eruptive young stars. We estimated the mass accretion rate during the dimming phase to be $\dot{M} = 3-8 \times 10^{-7}$ M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$, higher than typical T Tauri stars of similar mass and comparable to other EXors. We conclude Gaia20eae is a new EXor-type candidate.

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arXiv2021

The $\textit{Gaia}$ view of the Cepheus flare

We present a new census of candidate pre-main-sequence stars in the Cepheus flare star-forming region, based on $\textit{Gaia}$ EDR3 parallaxes, proper motions, and colour$-$magnitude diagrams. We identified new candidate members of the previously known young stellar groups associated with NGC$\,$7023, L1177, L1217/L1219, L1228, L1235, and L1251. We studied the 3D structure of the star-forming complex and the distribution of tangential velocities of the young stars. The young stellar groups are located between 330 and 368$\,$pc from the Sun, divide into three kinematic subgroups, and have ages between 1$-$5 million years. The results confirm the scenario of propagating star formation, suggested by previous studies. In addition to the bulk pre-main-sequence star population between 330 and 370$~$pc, there is a scattered and more evolved pre-main-sequence population around 150$-$180$\,$pc. We found new candidate members of the nearby Cepheus Association, and identified a new moving group of 46, 15$-$20 million years old pre-main-sequence stars located at a distance of 178$\,$pc, around the A0-type star HD$\,$190833. A few pre-main-sequence stars are located at 800$-$900$\,$pc, indicative of star-forming regions associated with the Galactic local arm above the Galactic latitude of +10$^{\circ}$.

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arXiv2021

Dipper-like variability of the Gaia alerted young star V555 Ori

V555 Ori is a T Tauri star, whose 1.5 mag brightening was published as a Gaia science alert in 2017. We carried out optical and near-infrared photometric, and optical spectroscopic observations to understand the light variations. The light curves show that V555 Ori was faint before 2017, entered a high state for about a year, and returned to the faint state by mid-2018. In addition to the long-term flux evolution, quasi-periodic brightness oscillations were also evident, with a period of about 5 days. At optical wavelengths both the long-term and short-term variations exhibited colourless changes, while in the near-infrared they were consistent with changing extinction. We explain the brightness variations as the consequence of changing extinction. The object has a low accretion rate whose variation in itself would not be enough to reproduce the optical flux changes. This behaviour makes V555 Ori similar to the pre-main sequence star AA Tau, where the light changes are interpreted as periodic eclipses of the star by a rotating inner disc warp. The brightness maximum of V555 Ori was a moderately obscured ($A_V$=2.3 mag) state, while the extinction in the low state was $A_V$=6.4 mag. We found that while the Gaia alert hinted at an accretion burst, V555 Ori is a standard dipper, similar to the prototype AA Tau. However, unlike in AA Tau, the periodic behaviour was also detectable in the faint phase, implying that the inner disc warp remained stable in both the high and low states of the system.

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arXiv2018

The young star population of L1188

We present new results on the young star population of the Lynds~1188 molecular cloud, associated with the Cepheus Bubble, a giant interstellar shell around the association Cep~OB\,2. In order to reveal the star-forming scenario of the molecular cloud located on the supershell, and understand the history of star formation in the region, we identified and characterized young star candidates based on an H$α$ emission survey and various published photometric datasets. Using Gaia DR2 astrometry we studied the spatial distribution of the young star candidates and isolated three groups based on their distances. We constructed spectral energy distributions of our target stars, based on Pan-STARRS, 2MASS, {\it Spitzer} and {\it WISE} photometric data, estimating their spectral types, extinctions, and luminosities. We estimated masses by means of pre-main-sequence evolutionary models, and derived accretion rates from the equivalent width of the H$α$ line. We studied the structure of the cloud by constructing a new extinction map, based on Pan-STARRS data. Our results show that the distribution of low-mass young stars in L1188 is well correlated with that of the dust and mole\-cular gas. We identified two small, compact clusters and a loose aggregate of young stars. We found that star formation in L1188 started about 5 million years ago. The apparent age gradient of young stars across the cloud and the ammonia cores located to the east of the optically visible young stellar groups support the scenario of star formation propagating away from the centre of the Cepheus Bubble.

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arXiv2016

An all-sky Support Vector Machine selection of WISE YSO Candidates

We explored the AllWISE catalogue of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer mission and identified Young Stellar Object candidates. Reliable 2MASS and WISE photometric data combined with Planck dust opacity values were used to build our dataset and to find the best classification scheme. A sophisticated statistical method, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used to analyse the multi-dimensional data space and to remove source types identified as contaminants (extragalactic sources, main sequence stars, evolved stars and sources related to the interstellar medium). Objects listed in the SIMBAD database are used to identify the already known sources and to train our method. A new all-sky selection of 133,980 Class I/II YSO candidates is presented. The estimated contamination was found to be well below 1% based on comparison with our SIMBAD training set. We also compare our results to that of existing methods and catalogues. The SVM selection process successfully identified >90% of the Class I/II YSOs based on comparison with photometric and spectroscopic YSO catalogues. Our conclusion is that by using the SVM, our classification is able to identify more known YSOs of the training sample than other methods based on colour-colour and magnitude-colour selection. The distribution of the YSO candidates well correlates with that of the Planck Galactic Cold Clumps in the Taurus--Auriga--Perseus--California region.

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arXiv2013

A New Halpha Emission-Line Survey in the Orion Nebula Cluster

We present results from an Halpha emission-line survey in a one square degree area centered on the Orion Nebula Cluster, obtained with the Wide Field Grism Spectrograph-2 on the 2.2-meter telescope of the University of Hawaii. We identified 587 stars with Halpha emission, 99 of which, located mainly in the outer regions of the observed area, have not appeared in previous Halpha surveys. We determined the equivalent width (EW) of the line, and based on it classified 372 stars as classical T Tauri stars (CTTS) and 187 as weak line T Tauri stars (WTTS). Simultaneous r', i' photometry indicates a limiting magnitude of r' ~ 20 mag, but the sample is incomplete at r' > 17 mag. The surface distribution of the Halpha emission stars reveals a clustered and a dispersed population, the former consisting of younger and more massive young stars than the latter. Comparison of the derived EWs with those found in the literature indicates variability of the Halpha line. We found that the typical amplitudes of the variability are not greater than a factor 2-3 in the most cases. We identified a subgroup of low-EW stars with infrared signatures indicative of optically thick accretion disks. We studied the correlations between the equivalent width and other properties of the stars. Based on literature data we examined several properties of our CTTS and WTTS subsamples and found significant differences in mid-infrared color indices, average rotational periods, and spectral energy distribution characteristics of the subsamples.

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